Frank Lampard: Coventry boss says it’s no ti...

Frank Lampard says now shouldn’t be the time to get down about his Coventry facet’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg defeat to Sunderland.

The Sky Blues – who completed fifth, seven factors behind their opponents through the common season – dominated the ball on the Coventry Constructing Society Enviornment on Friday evening, however had been held at arm’s size for lengthy spells by Regis Le Bris’ defensively resolute workforce.

And although Jack Rudoni cancelled out Wilson Isidor’s opener inside two minutes of it hitting the again of the web, Milan van Ewijk’s blind backpass gifted Eliezer Mayenda the winner, which places the Black Cats within the driving seat forward of Tuesday’s second leg on the Stadium of Gentle, which is reside on Sky Sports activities.

“It was an excellent efficiency from the workforce,” he stated. “We pushed and pushed, and dominated possession of the ball. We’re unlucky to be one behind going into the second leg.

“We performed them right here six, seven weeks in the past or so and, with the way in which we have been enjoying, I perceive it as a coach, you wish to come out and negate the areas that we wish, so we managed a number of it.

“I could not complain with the gamers by way of the low block. You possibly can say transfer it faster, do that, try this. It is not straightforward. It is not straightforward in opposition to that.

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“They usually defended their field very well. Generally you simply say properly accomplished to the opposition.

“In the event you’ve acquired eight our bodies within the field and also you’re crossing it, it is exhausting. We defended properly and on one other day issues go for you over the course of 90 minutes. They did not fairly go for us tonight.

“Will the sport appear to be this on Tuesday? I am undecided. So definitely not time for us to get too down about it.”

On Van Ewijk’s error, which left the Dutch defender in tears after the ultimate whistle, he stated: “We do not have to speak about that now. He is been good for us.”

Lampard was reminded of the 2018/19 season, when his Derby facet misplaced 1-0 to Leeds within the Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Delight Park, however scored 4 second-half targets in an exciting second leg to win 4-3 on combination.

Nevertheless, he didn’t wish to be drawn on comparisons.

“It is nothing to do with it as a result of that is one other group of gamers that we have got,” he added.

“They’re one other group of gamers. It is a completely different recreation. I perceive your level, however it’s nothing to do with it. That is the previous.

“It will be a troublesome recreation for us, however it’s clearly nonetheless very, very shut.

“We go once more Tuesday. Easy.”

Morrison: Coventry have to enter second leg assured

Clinton Morrison on Sky Sports activities Soccer:

“They’re nonetheless on this. They dominated possession. They did not create as a lot as they needed, however the recreation will open up on the Stadium of Gentle they usually’ve simply go to go there filled with confidence.

“What they have there’s a supervisor who is aware of what he is speaking about. He’ll settle them down, loosen up, and he will not be crucial of them.

“However he does have to choose up Van Ewijk as a result of he was in tears on the finish. Everybody makes errors however he is acquired to get well and go once more.”

Davies: Each targets had been so avoidable

Curtis Davies on Sky Sports activities Soccer:

“The distinction with the Derby state of affairs is that Leeds got here and comprehensively beat Derby [in the first leg] and also you suppose it is going to be the identical within the second. They beat us thrice that season, and also you suppose going to Elland Highway shall be an uphill process.

“Whereas tonight his workforce has dominated, and for my part each targets are so avoidable. For Van Ewijk it is about his character and what he reveals in coaching. If he makes one mistake early within the subsequent recreation he might go below.”